The Texas Department of Public Safety says some of its offices will be open Saturday this week and next to make sure that Texans have Election Identification Certificates so that they can vote in the primary election.
The 2016 Primary Election is March 1, early voting started this week and continues through Feb. 26.
ID Cards Needed For All Texas Voters
Most residents already have an acceptable form of photo identification needed for voting and will not need or qualify for an EIC. If an applicant already has any of the following documents, they are not eligible to receive an EIC:
Texas driver license - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
Texas personal identification card - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
U.S. passport book or card - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
Texas concealed handgun license - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
U.S. Military identification with photo - unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with photo
Early Voting Begins Tuesday for Texas Primary
EICs can be obtained at any of the more than 220 Texas driver license offices or alternate approved locations during regular business hours throughout the year.
The following locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 27:
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Collin County
McKinney Office
400 Powerhouse Street
McKinney, TX 75071
Plano Office
2109 W. Parker Road #224
Plano, TX 75023
Dallas County
Carrollton Office
2625 Old Denton Road
Carrollton, TX 75007
Cedar Hill Office
116 W. Beltline Road #2
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Dallas-East Office
11411 E. NW Highway #111
Dallas, TX 75218
Garland Office
350 W. I-30
Garland, TX 75043
Grand Prairie Office
550 S. Carrier Parkway #570
Grand Prairie, TX 75051
Irving Office
1003 W. 6th Street
Irving, TX 75060
Dallas-South Mega Center
39025 LBJ Service Road
Dallas, TX 75232
Garland Mega Center
4445-A Saturn Road
Garland, TX 75041
Denton County
Denton Office
820 N. Loop 288
Denton, TX 76209
Lewisville Office
190 N. Valley Parkway, Suite 201
Lewisville, TX 75067
Tarrant County
Fort Worth-East Office
3500 Miller Avenue
Fort Worth , TX 76119
Fort Worth-Mega Center
8301 Brentwood Stair Road
Fort Worth, TX 76120
Fort Worth-South Office
6413 Woodway Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Hurst Office
624 NE Loop 820
Hurst, TX 76053
To apply for an EIC, you must visit one of the locations listed above and complete an application for a Texas Election Identification Certificate (DL-14C).
To qualify for an EIC, an applicant must:
Bring documentation to verify U.S. citizenship and Identity
Be eligible to vote in Texas (Bring a valid voter registration card or submit a voter registration application through the Texas Department of Public Safety)
Be a Texas resident
Be 17 years and 10 months or older
To avoid delays or complications, DPS urges potential applicants to make sure they have the necessary documentation before arriving at the office.
The EIC receipt an individual receives will include their photo and can be used for voting until the permanent card is delivered by mail.
The EIC is free of charge to qualifying applicants and is valid for six years. There is no expiration date for an EIC for citizens 70 years of age or older. The EIC can only be used for the purpose of voting in an election and may not be used as personal identification.
MORE: Texas EIC Info | Voting Information | EIC Application (English) | EIC Application (Spanish)
Photo Credit: NBC 5/Texas Department of Public Safety